Combination scarifier and loading dispenser for biologicals



Dec. 3, 1968 c. L. HEIN v 3,413,975

COMBINATION SCARIFIER AND LOADING DISPENSER FOR BIOLOGICALS Filed Aug. 23, 1965 INVENTOD GARY L HEIN 1%,m 2mm United States Patent 3,413,975 COMBINATION SCARIFIER AND LOADING DISPENSER FOR BIOLOGICALS Gary L. Hein, Decatur, Ill., assignor to Lincoln Laboratories, Inc., Decatur, III., a corporation of Indiana Filed Aug. 23, 1965, Ser. No. 481,642 3 Claims. (Cl. 128-253) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A combination container and dispenser for loading a biological onto a multiple point scarifier is provided by a rigid container with a resilient dispensing head for substantially closing the container but having a central aperture through which liquid may be dispensed onto the head of the scarifier. The dispensing head provides a recess in the resilient material surrounding the central aperture which serves to sealing seat the support base of the scarifier and to center the multiple points in the aperture, so that loading of liquid onto the points of the scarifier is accomplished by one hand manipulation by inverting the container. Finger engaging means on the container and scarifier aids in one hand manipulation of both parts when held in material loading association with each other.

This invention relates to an improved combination container and dispenser for biologicals, and more particularly relates to the combination of a multiple-point bilogical applicator and an improved container-dispenser for use therewith.

In the application of a biological, such as smallpox vaccine or tuberculin, with use of a multiple-point applicator of the type disclosed generally in U.S. Patent No. 3,136,314, it is necessary to effect transfer of the biologial, in liquid form, from a supply thereof onto the multiple points of the scarifier-application. Present techniques of loading liquid biological onto a multiple-point applicator require precision in aligning the dispensing tip of a dispenser with the very small area in which are clustered the multiple points of the scarifier. Further, almost invariably the existing loading techniques require the use of both hands.

It is one object of this invention to provide an improved means for loading liquid biological onto the multiple points of a scarifier-applicator, wherein the said rfiieans permits of a loading technique using only one and.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved combination of a multiple-point scarifier and a container-dispenser for liquid biologicals, wherein said scarifier and dispenser interfit to effect loading of biological on the points of the scarifier in a simple and effective manner.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved dispensing head, or adapter, for dispensing liquid biologicals from an ordinary container therefor onto the cluster of points of a multiple-point scarifier, and wherein the head is arranged to serve dual functions, in part as a cap for the container of biological, and as an abutment against which the scarifying instrument may be thrust, thereby permitting of loading biological on the points of the scarifier in a simplified manner and selectively with but one hand.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds and the features of novelty which characterize this inven- 3,413,975 Patented Dec. 3, 1968 tion will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming part of this specification.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 illustrates one form of the invention showing a container of biologicals, the dispensing head, and the multiple-point scarifier arranged in operative relation to each other prior to loading of the biological onto the points of the scarifier;

FIGURE 2 illustrates the arrangement of FIG. 1 when inverted to move the liquid biological onto the scarifier points to load same;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary view of the clustered multiple points of the scarifier, when loaded with a liquid biological that is retained thereon even when the scarifier is inverted, by reason of the capillary reaction of the clustered points with the surface tension of the liquid;

FIGURE 4 illustrates the combination of FIG. 1 when held with one hand prior to manipulation to the loading position of FIG. 2;

FIGURE 5 illustrates a modified form of the container for the biological;

FIGURE 6 illustrates another modified form of container and dispensing head for the biological; and

FIGURE 7 illustrates a system for providing a biological in a container in dried form to provide for an extended shelf life with a supply of liquid for reconstituting the dried biological.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 a standard storage container 10, formed preferably of glass, and with a liquid biological 12 therein. The upper end of the container 10 is necked or constricted inwardly at 14, and the upper end of the container is formed with a peripheral lip or bead 16 that projects outwardly relative to the necked portion 14.

A dispensing head generally indicated at 18 is mounted in and across the open mouth of the container 10. The dispensing head 18 is formed of any appropriate material, such as rubber (natural or synthetic), or an inert plastic such as polyethylene.

More specifically, the dispensing head 18 has been preshaped and formed to define a sleeve 20 which is arranged to project into the interior of container 10 and to engage the inner periphery of the container 10 adjacent the mouth, so as to provide a frictional grip between the dispensing head 18 and the container, to retain the head 18 on the container. The head 18 is shaped to define an enlarged bead 22 which extends outwardly of sleeve 20 and is arranged to abut against the upper edge of the terminus of the container which defines bead 16, so as to elfect a sealing engagement between bead 22 and bead 16. Radially inwardly 0f the bead 22, the dispensing head 18 defines a diaphragm, or transverse wall, 24 and a depressed recess 26 bounding the outer face of the wall 24. The wall 24 has a central aperture 28 defined therethrough communicating with a concaved inner recess surrounded by sleeve 20. The walls 29 which bound this inner recess operate to funnel the liquid 12 centrally of the recess onto the scarification points as best seen in FIG. 2.

A scarifier generally indicated 30 is provided for cooperation with the dispensing head 18. The scarifier 30 is preferably formed of a molded plastic and is of a thumb-embracing shape as generally disclosed in US. Patent No. 3,062,212 to provide a thumb-receiving splitring portion 32 defined by curved flanges 32a and 32b which are shaped to define a frusto-conical or tapering recess adapted to wedgingly receive therein the thumb of a person. The molded scarifier 30 also defines an inner flat abutment surface 34 adapted to be engaged by a thumb pad, and serving as the back side of a base portion 36 through which pressure from the thumb is to be transmitted. On the outer portion of scarifier 30 is a platform 38 that projects abruptly from the outer surface of base 36, and which is of smaller dimension than base 36. Projecting outwardly from platform 38 are a plurality of closely clustered pressure points 40 arranged to effect intradermal puncturing as described in US. Patent No. 3,136,314.

The dispensing head 18 and the scarifier 30 are adapted to cooperate with each other in a fairly precise manner, and toward that end the size of the depressed recess 26 is selected to be just slightly larger than the peripheral dimension of the outer portion of base 36, and the thickness and size of diaphragm 24 and its aperture 28 are selected to permit a close-fit entry in the aperture 28 of the peripheral dimension of platform 38, while points 40 project beyond Wall 24 into container 10. This provides that the portion of diaphragm wall 24 which surrounds the aperture 28 is adapted to have the outerface surfaces of base 36 thrust thereagainst to provide for a sealing contact therebetween.

The foregoing arrangement is such that when the device of FIG. 1 is gripped, as for example in FIG. 4 with the index and middle fingers of one hand engaging the container adjacent the necked region 14 and below bead 16, and with the thumb inserted in the split-ring 32 of scarifier 30, the entire device may be gripped with one hand and may then be inverted to the position shown in FIG. 2, where the liquid biological 12 moves to a position inundating the plurality of scarifier points 40. Then when the assemblage is re-inverted to the position of FIG. 1, the excess biological 12 again moves to the bottom of the container while the closely clustered points 40 on the scarifier 30, because of their close positioning as described in US. Patent No. 3,136,314 operate to retain thereon a dosage of biological sufiicient to effect the necessary inoculation. FIG. 3 illustrates how the liquid biological load 42 is maintained on the plurality of points 40, so that upon releasing the container 10 and withdrawing the thumb, the scarifier is removed from operative association with the container and its head 18, and with the points of the scarifier fully loaded with biological and adapted for immediate use.

It will thus be seen that the combination of a specific form of scarifier plus an ordinary container for biological with a particularly shaped dispensing head provides a simplified combination of means for loading a precise amount of biological onto the points of the scarifier, and with a procedure that requires the use of only a single hand. The pre-sha-ped dispensing head and its cooperation with the structural features of a thumb-mounted scarifier provides for a simplified method of loading of vaccine which does not require controlled expressing of biological from a syringe-like dispenser. Since scarifiers of the type shown at 30 are now sold individually packed and sterile, there is almost no chance for contamination of the vaccine 12 that remains in the container 10. It will be understood that the container 10 with liquid biological 12 therein is normally stored under refrigeration. While the dispensing head 18 provides a constantly open aperture 28, it will be understood that if necessary, any type of cap means may be provided for closing the aperture 28, such as with an encasing cap which would snap over the periphery of bead 16 of the container, or by use of a plug member which would project into and through the aperture 29.

In FIG. 5 there is shown a modified form of container, wherein, in order to provide a more convenient gripping of the container by the fingers during the operation of loading of the points of a scarifier with one hand, the container 10 is arranged to provide thereon an outwardly extending peripheral flange that is positioned below the neck 14' of the container. While such a peripheral flange 50 may be attached to container 10' in any manner, as shown, flange 50 is formed intetgral with the container. The peripheral flange 50 provides an underside or shoulder 52 which may be engaged by the fingers of the user, and by providing such a continuous peripheral shoulder 50, there are always a pair of outwardly directed portions which may be engaged by the spread fingers that are used in the one hand loading operation as above described.

Another variant in the construction shown in FIG. 5 involves the dispensing head 18 being formed with a depending skirt 54 with an inturned lip 56 at the lower terminus that is intended to snap over and embrace the peripheral bead 16' defined on the container 10', and which thereby provides means for insuring the retention of the dispensing head 18' on the container 10'.

In FIGURE 6, the container 10 is of the same shape as in FIGS. 1 and 2, but the dispensing head 18- is shaped to provide not only the wall 24 and aperture 28, but also a continuous peripheral flange or shoulder 60 that is integral with the dispensing head 18" and which projects radially outwardly of the peripheral bead 16. The shoulder 60 serves in substantially the same manner as peripheral flange 50 disclosed in FIG. 5. The advantage in FIG. 6 over FIG. 5 is that in FIG. 6 the container 10 is an ordinary one, and all improvement features including means for gripping bead 16 are included in the preshaped dispensing head 18'.

While the containers 10, 10 etc. could be provided with liquid biological 12 therein as delivered from the pharmaceutical manufacturer with the containers 10 normally sealed with a stopper that may be removed and discarded, and which is to be replaced by a dispensing head 18, it is also understood that the biological may be supplied in a different form, such as lyophilized or dried, by means of the system shown in FIG. 7. In FIG. 7 a container 10a is provided normally sealed with a pierceable rubber cap that is additionally retained in position in the mouth of the container by means of a tearable sheet metal protector 72, as is well known in the art. In the container 1011 there are provided pellets 74 of dried or lyophilized biological. Accompanying the container 10a is a syringe 76 in which is stored a fluid 78 that is to be dispensed through a hollow needle 80 into the interior of the container 10a for the purpose of reconstituting the dried biological, so as to reach the liquid condition shown in FIG. 1.

In the use of the system of FIG. 7, the sheet metal protector 72 is removed, the protector sleeve 82 is removed from the needle 80, the needle 80 is then thrust through pierceable cap 70 and the contents of syringe 76 are expelled into container 10a. Then the syringe 76 and cap 70 are removed, and a dispensing head 18, of the type shown in FIG. 1, that is supplied in sterile form in a ru-pturable cellophane wrapping or the like is mounted in position on container 10a, and the system is ready for use with scarifiers of the type shown at 30 in FIG. 1.

While there has been shown and described a particular embodiment of this invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention and, therefore, it is intended in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters the true 'spirit and scope of the invention.

1. A combination scarifier and loading device for loading a biological onto a multiple point scarifier, comprising, in combination: a scarifier having a support base and a plurality of points clustered closely together and supported by said base; the loading device including an elongated, rigid container carrying a resilient dispensing head at one end thereof through which liquid matetrial is to be dispensed, said dispensing head defining a transverse wall having therethrough an open central aperture through which biological may pass when the container is inverted, and the outer surface ofsaid transverse wall of the dispensing head defining an abutment sealing surface surrounding the central aperture and against which the support base of the scarifier is removably thrust in resilient sealing engagement therewith when the multiple points of the scarifier are positioned to extend into said central aperture.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the scarifier includes a raised platform of smaller size than said support base interposed between the support base and the plurality of points and having the points extending therefrom, the size of the central aperture in the dispensing head being such as to permit a close-fit entry therein of the scarifiers platform on which the multiple points are carried, and the outer surface of the resilient dispenser head surrounding the open central aperture being recessed relative to the outermost portion of the head to centeringly receive therein the support base of the scarifier.

3. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein finger engaging means are provided on both said container and scarifier to permit of loading the points of the scarifier by manipulation with a single hand.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Hilgenberg et al 215-73 Biehn 215-47 Kravitz et al 128-253 Bogikes 215-47 Kravitz 128-253 Tolciss 215-73 XR Rubin 128-253 Rosenthal 128-253 Burelle et a1. 128-253 Petrie 222-465 Tupper 222-546 XR Estes et a1 222-466 XR Holmes 222-563 XR Pellett 2,22-566 XR Holmes et a1. 222- France.

RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner. RONALD L. FRINKS, Assistant Examiner. 

